Well it’s about time the Drinks Geek stops chit chatting about Gin for one moment and discusses the best tonic water for your Gin!
Picture the scene, it’s one of those lovely (albeit somewhat rare) sunny days in Henley-upon-Thames, England, and am sat relaxing on the grass at the Rewind South (80’s music festival) with my cousin Samantha.
We were just deciding whether to see the next band or grab a bite to eat, when a young lady approaches us with a tray or drinks, and asks would we like to try the best tonic water for gin and tonic?
A bit of a tall statement I thought, however it would be rude of us not to, so we of course accepted. The young lady in question was promoting Fever-Tree tonic water, they had the excellent slogan (below). I must say their catchphrase has really stuck with me, and I have been big fan of Fever-Tree products ever since due to the very high quality.
Background of Fever-Tree
Charles Rolls & Tim Warrillow joined forces to form Fever-Tree after they discovered that with the majority of suppliers, their tonic waters were preserved with sodium benzonate or such like, plus contained cheap aromatics and artificial sweeteners.
After a lot of research (and I mean A LOT, check out the upcoming video) to find the finest ingredient’s and work through a number of recipes, Charles and Tim were finally happy to release their first bottle of Fever-Tree Indian Tonic Water to the now very thankful Gin loving public, myself included.
Fever-Tree In Their Own Words
Before you read any further, please do take a moment to watch this thoroughly inspiring video from Fever-Tree. It’s not just one of those sales promos about the companies products, it’s their passion and dedication that gripped me and act’s as a reminder of how anyone can make progress in their life.
Best Tonic Water
Let’s now delve into 5 Fever-Tree tonics waters, all of which I thoroughly recommend. Fever-Tree are not paying for these kind words, its all truly earned by their great products and company ethos.
1. Fever-Tree Indian Tonic Water
Background
An award winning tonic that blends quality botanical oils with spring water and quinine. This is the standard by which all other tonic waters are judged in my opinion.
Colour & Taste
Clear, well carbonated, clean & crisp with a hint of citrus coming from the orange, and slight bitterness from the quinine. Perfect Indian Tonic Water.
Ingredients
Quinine, Cane Sugar, Spring Water, Bitter Orange.
Best Served
Tanqueray No. Ten Gin with Fever-Tree Indian Tonic Water, ice, and a curl of lime rind.
Where best to buy
You can check out prices, customer reviews, plus order online.
Fever-Tree Indian Tonic Water on Amazon
2. Aromatic Tonic Water
Background
A blending of the slight bitterness of angostura bark with botanicals such as cardamom, pimento berry and ginger makes for a distinctive tonic water that will enhance the flavours on the Gin itself. A ‘tailor made’ tonic water for Pink Gin lovers.
Ingredients
Quinine, fresh green ginger, cane sugar, spring water, bitter orange, angostura bark, cardamom, pimento berry.
Colour & Taste
Lovely pink hue that is the perfect tonic for any Pink Gin, and nicely carbonated. It’s sweet with subtle hint of orange bitters, citrus tones, and a mild but noticeable snippet of spice at the end. As an alcohol free Gin and Tonic alternative, I drink this on its own with ice and some lemon or lime rind (cut off the flesh).
Best Served
Pink 47 London Dry Gin with Fever-Tree Aromatic Tonic Water, ice, and a few small strawberries
Where best to buy
You can check out prices, customer reviews, plus order online.
Fever-Tree Aromatic Tonic Water on Amazon
3. Fever-Tree Mediterranean Tonic Water
Background
Fever-Tree have really come up with something interesting here, and for that they deserve a pat on the back as I feel its paid off. Using essential oils from the flowers, fruits and herbs from Mediterranean shores with quality quinine.
Mediterranean Tonic water is a great mixer for both Gin and Vodka, and although I am a bit still stuck in my ways and by default will go for Indian Tonic Water for a G&T, this is a close second!
Ingredients
Quinine, Lemon Thyme, Rosemary, Cane Sugar, Spring Water.
Colour & Taste
Clear, well carbonated, clean & crisp with a hint of citrus and herbs, and only a slight bitterness from the quinine. Makes a completely different drink than with Indian Tonic water, well worth a try if you fancy a change, or don’t like the bitterness of Indian Tonic water.
Best Served
Caorunn Gin with Fever-Tree Mediterranean Tonic Water, ice, lemon thyme, and a slice of lemon
Where best to buy
You can check out prices, customer reviews, plus order online.
Fever-Tree Mediterranean Tonic Water on Amazon
4. Fever-Tree Elderflower Tonic Water
Background
A light and subtle character, the delicate and sweet flavour of elderflower is perfectly balanced by the soft bitterness of the quinine. Providing a summery twist to the classic gin and tonic, the refreshing floral flavour works equally well as a sophisticated soft drink.
Ingredients
Quinine, Elderflowers, Cane Sugar, Spring Water.
Colour & Taste
Clear, nicely carbonated, smooth & crisp with a hint of floral and citrus, and a slight bitter aftertaste from the quinine.
Best Served
Hendricks Gin with Fever-Tree Elderflower Tonic Water, ice, and a slice of cucumber or mint.
I prefer mint, as cucumber should go in very dainty sandwiches and be eaten whilst wearing a monocle and saying phrases line ‘By Jove Jeeves’ and ‘Tally Ho’.
Where best to buy
You can check out prices, customer reviews, plus order online.
Fever-Tree Elderflower Tonic Water on Amazon
5. Fever-Tree Ginger Ale
Background
OK, it’s not a tonic water, but its heaven. Made by blending three ginger oils with spring water make for a high quality ‘grown up’ Ginger Ale. Works amazingly with Brockmans Gin, see ‘Best Served’ below. Again, this is another mixer that’s lovely to drink on its own.
Ingredients
Fresh Green Ginger, Nigerian Ginger, Cochin Ginger, Cane Sugar, Spring Water.
Taste Notes
Rich golden colour, great carbonation balance, with citrus aromas and just the right amount of the ginger twang (yes, I said twang).
Best Served
Brockmans Gin with Fever-Tree Ginger Ale, ice, pink grapefruit peel, and a few blueberries. I would love you to try this combination and send me your feedback, it’s certainly one of my favourites.
Where best to buy
You can check out prices, customer reviews, plus order online.
Fever-Tree Ginger Ale on Amazon
Conclusion
So that about wraps it up for today’s low down on Fever-Tree mixers, and why Fever-Tree has become in my humble opinion, the best tonic water for Gin & Tonic. It is now one of the most popular suppliers of premium mixers around the world. The bar has now been set very high (about time too!), and I thoroughly recommend Fever-Tree for all your Gin mixer requirements.
I hope you found this review was helpful, and if you have any mixer related comments, or have a different brand you would like to bring to my attention, then please leave a comment below.
Don’t forget to check out my article on 6 Facts & Myths About Tonic Water
